Film: A History of Violence

[goatofthenever]

This is David Cronenberg's new movie. I saw a preview and a clip, looks pretty weird - in a good way. I'm not exactly sure what it's about though.

From IMDB:
"An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner."

Doesn't explain to much, it looked like to me the main character has a secret past(parhaps the mafia) that he has givin up to become a upstanding citizen. But of course, his past comes back to fuck with him.
This is just my guess on the plot, but the preview made it look very promising.

I think it comes out today, anyone see it yet?

 

[Yakuza]

i will be seeing it soon. i have heard nothing but good things about this film and it looks interesting

 

[jpgrdnr]

Its a great film. Stunning performances all around. Viggo should win some sort of award. Any new film by Cronenberg is welcome but he's created something different entirely in comparison to his works (Existenz, Crash, Videodrome, Naked Lunch etc.) I have to see this film again because its very nuisanced (i.e Viggo/Tom Stall and his family are really really weird)

The violence seems very real in this film but not much else does. For those who "know" Cronenberg and are fans you won't be disappointed, he's got some clever surprises, in the realm of sfx. Strong director references/his stamp throughout.

I'd like to see an unrated version personally as they took a bit out to make it R.

 

[Pounding_Grooves]

saw it yesterday, hands down the best movie i have seen this year, by a country mile , viggo is on a par with sean penn as the best actor of his generation.

dl mark kermodes review here http://odeo.com/audio/274727/view

 

[singularity]

Just saw it. For the first half it felt a lot like Chronenberg was working a Mullholland Drive sorta film with the pacing and unease. In fact the whole feel was more lynchian with that sugary song in the begining and the mysterious characters comming in and a number of other things that escape me right now. it does lack the mellodrama usually present in a lynch film though and has this very serious tone. Still very awsome, I like how Chronenberg is developing as a director, first with Spider and now History of Violence.

Also William Hurt is just awsome in his little scene. When it happens he sorta takes control of the film for about 5 minutes and loosens up the tone a lot. Very cool. See it.

 

[Mr_AuDiO]

Cant wait to see this, looks great.

 

[apneist]

Great movie. looking forward to seeing it again. An unrated version would be even better.

 

[smotpoker]

good movie. very good plot and acting, but I'm just not a big fan of Viggo Mortenson. Maybe it's because I still remember him from Texas Chainsaw Massicre 3, from way back in 89.

I was also a little dissapointed in the ending, but I guess there wouldn't have been any better way to end it. They could have had the family embrace in a hug, but that would be to sappy.
I think they should've had the wife getty up in that little cheerleading outfit, that would've been a great ending!!!!

 

[orri páll dýrason]

Also William Hurt is just awsome in his little scene. When it happens he sorta takes control of the film for about 5 minutes and loosens up the tone a lot.

Ahhh William Hurt! He is beyond words ...
Strangely, even though this film is supposed to be so good and promising, I have no desire to see it ... however with the knowledge of William Hurt making an appearance, I may change my mind! :D

 

[Sideways_Falling]

good movie. very good plot

The plot was lacking and it reminded me of "High Crimes"

BUT!! the only other time I've seen someone take down a man with a gun using a coffee pot was... umm... Brad Hamilton in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

 

[Dtergent]

I liked it. Overall you can tell it was from a graphic novel by the shots and the storyboard.

Oh and the sex scenes were exceptionally nice!

 

[ChemicalBeauty]

Terrible ending, ZERO plot twists (except the one that everyone saw coming from a mile away) and a ridiculous sex scene that would embarass the crap out of anyone going to the film with family or a friend they didn't know that well (if i wanted to watch a porn, i wouldn't be at a movie theater.)

Overall one star and two thumbs down.

 

[SA]

Good story, wrong (sex starved :D ) director. Nothing much else to say really. Two stars.

 

[skywise]

Like is the case w/ most Cronenburg films it seems like everyone has a different opinion on this one.

I liked it myself, but I *really* like David Cronenburg so I have a definite bias. I think it was a really cool mix between a serious, consciencious meditation on violence (and who better to do that than Cronenberg?) and near-absurd comic-book violence. If there were any weaknesses in the film, I'd say it comes from its graphic-novel roots showing through the plot.

And I really liked the sex scenes. I didn't think they were gratuitous at all. I Especially feel that the *ahem* "rougher" scene was one of the most well done sex scenes I'd ever scene in a movie. The transition between their fighting and fucking was very believable (I've seen a lot more forced seeming attempts at this in other films), helped advanced the plot, and was critical for the characters' development within the plot.

I don't think it's by any means Cronenberg's best, but I do think it is a pretty damned good film.

 

[Banquo]

poll added!

 

[L2R]

Great fun!

 

[cakehead]

i was really looking forward to seeing this film and was fairly disappointed- some scenes were just awful- the nightmare scene when the entire family gets up to comfort the kid, the cheerleader sex bit especially- both could have been left out and it would have worked-in so far as it worked at all- i liked the ending though- open to interpretation which makes you actually think about whats gone on before. still i only rate it as two stars

 

[Tanuki_23]

I enjoyed the characters development through violence. The question posed in the movie, whether violence is nature or nurture, is dealt with is a very gradual and ever increasing form. Its a very good movie in my opinion, without a wasted scene (even the sex scenes use violence to advance the characters realizations of who they are). The way his kid goes nuts on that bully, being raised in a non-violent home, is eye-opening. The way the father looks at his kid after he saves his life in the most violent way is mesmerizing. The transition between violence and sex on the staircase is very believable. I really enjoyed this movie.

 

[axl blaze]

I liked this movie and it's questioning of violence and also the questioning the issue of should a man be forgiven for his past? this was actually a graphic novel/comic book before made into a movie and despite me walking by it a bunch of times at the comic store I think I am going to give it a try.

 

[Banquo]

just wanted to mention that there is a point to the cheerleader sex scene. it's part of the larger theme about pretending to be other people. at first glance, it did seem a little bit silly or extraneous, but it ties in with the rest of the film really well, imo. i read that cronenberg and mortensen will be working together again. hopefully, it will be as good as History of Violence was.